Visit Old Town Square in Prague
Old Town Square is one of Prague’s many gems. It’s a historic square that was once home to many important buildings in the city, including churches, palaces, and monasteries. Today it’s also filled with restaurants and bars where you can grab dinner after exploring some of these attractions.
Where is Old Town Square?
Old Town Square is located in the center of Prague, between the Old Town Bridge Tower and Astronomical Clock. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The square was historically known as Hradčanská Celetná (Celetný’s Court), but this name was rarely used today.
The area originally reached its present size thanks to construction works undertaken by Charles IV around 1350 AD who built a castle here known as “Hradčany” or “Hradcany”.
In 1780, after King Josef II acquired it from his father Leopold I, he converted it into an open-air theatre called “U Vašeho” (“At Your Service”). It opened with a Lohengrin opera performance; however, due to poor reviews by critics and audiences alike it closed within months afterward
History of Old Town Square
Old Town Square is the oldest and most famous square in Prague. It was established in the 13th century when it was known as Hradcany (Castle Quarter). In its current form, it has been undergoing many changes throughout history: at first, there were only four houses on each side of the square; then more houses were added; today there are more than 60 buildings that surround this historical landmark which makes up one of the most important squares in Europe.
Prague Christmas Markets
Prague is a great place to experience the festive spirit of Christmas. The city holds two traditional Christmas markets, which are held in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.
Christmas markets are open throughout November and December, so you can enjoy them all year round! The best part is that they’re free; however, there are many different stalls where you can buy gifts for your loved ones (or yourself), along with delicious foods and drinks from local vendors.
See the astronomical clock
The astronomical clock is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Old Town Square. It was built in 1410 and houses an astronomical dial that tells time using the solar system and other planets, as well as several smaller clocks.
The clock’s facade was renovated several times over the years, but its interior has remained largely unchanged since its inception. The astronomer who designed it lived during medieval times when scientific knowledge was limited to astronomy rather than physics or chemistry; his work remains relevant today because it shows how people thought about time then compared to how they think about time now.
The astronomical clock features a chime every hour on the hour between 6 am and midnight (except during sunrise). If you visit during spring or summertime, be sure not to miss seeing this famous landmark!
Visit the Jan Hus Memorial
The Jan Hus Memorial is a monument to the Czech reformer, John Huss. It was built in 1881 and consists of an octagonal tower with four smaller towers around it. The main chapel inside has a large stained glass window depicting the life of Jan Hus, as well as paintings by Josef Václav Myslbek (1878-1957).
The memorial itself is located at Old Town Square next door to St Vitus Cathedral and opposite from Wenceslas Square at Náměstí Republiky 1/5 near Metro stop Smetanovy 2 (Line A).
Visit St. Nicholas Church
The St. Nicholas Church is one of the most famous churches in Prague. It was built in the 14th century but has been altered and rebuilt many times since then. The current façade was designed by Josef Herman and built between 1772 and 1782, when the church was dedicated to St. Nicholas (the patron saint of sailors).
The Baroque altar inside this church is considered one of Europe’s finest works from this era; it features statues depicting saints with an angelic figure at its center representing God on his throne flanked by two angels who hold up a canopy above him (the canopy represents heaven).
The Church of Our Lady Before Týn
The Church of Our Lady Before Týn is one of the most beautiful churches in Prague. It was built in 1388 and has been renovated several times since then, with the last major renovation taking place in 1730.
The church has a Baroque tower added in 1736 and an altar from 1510 that shows Michelangelo’s Pietà.
The interior also has works by Jan Žižka and others on display here as well as paintings by Jan Brokoff (1702–1746), Jiri Antonín Benda (1632–1691) and Michal Horecký (1887-1943).
The House at the Raised Stone Hand
The House at the Raised Stone Hand is an example of Gothic architecture. It was built in 14th century and has been preserved to this day. The facade of the house was rebuilt in Baroque style in 1704, when it was turned into a hospital for lepers and prisoners. Today, it houses shops and restaurants on its ground floor as well as several apartments on its upper floors.
Visit one of the many museums
You will find many museums in Prague, but these are some of the best:
- National Museum (also known as Muzeum Narodowe) – an old baroque palace with collections of art and artifacts from all over Central Europe. It’s one of the largest museums in Prague, with around 5 million artifacts on display. Admission is free!
- Art Nouveau House – This beautiful baroque building houses three floors of exhibits dedicated to Czech art from its beginnings until today. There are also movies about famous artists like Kundera or Kafka shown here as well as cafés where you can relax with a coffee while looking at all those beautiful paintings!
- Jewish Museum – This small museum has very interesting exhibits on Jewish history and culture such as synagogues made out of granite stones that have been shaped into shapes like menorahs; coins minted by Jews during Roman times; Torah scrolls written by rabbis throughout history; the clothing worn by Jewish people during different periods (such as medieval times); etc…
Attend a concert at the Old Town Hall
- Attend a concert at the Old Town Hall.
- The Prague Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest and best-known European orchestras with its own concert hall, which can be visited on request.
The concerts are held on a regular basis and free of charge, so it’s easy to find something that fits your schedule.
Old Town Square is one of Prague’s many gems
Old Town Square is one of Prague’s many gems. It’s a great place to visit, whether you’re looking for a day out or an extended stay in the city. With so much to see and do within its boundaries, there are plenty of ways to spend your time here.
In addition to the historic architecture that makes up this square, there are also several restaurants and bars within walking distance that offer plenty of options when it comes down to food and drinks!
Old Town Square is the perfect place to host your event with a DMC in Prague. If you need help finding the perfect vendors and venues for your event, contact us at Prague Eventery.
Old Town Square is one of Prague’s many gems and a must-see if you’re visiting the city. There are so many different things to do here that it can be hard to choose what to do first, but I hope this article inspires you to visit this beautiful place!